Overspeed Trainer to Improve Maximal Running Speed in Human Subjects

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a machine that functions by a human subject standing on a stationary base with one foot on the base and the other foot on a pedal. The foot on the pedal is positioned such that the hip and knee joints are in the flexed position. On command, the human subject will force the flexed hip and knee joints to full extension. The full extension is followed by relaxation of the engaged muscles allowing the elastic bands to force the hip and knee joints back to the flex position (or starting position). This action is repeated for as many times as is possible within a given period of time. Upright bars (support structure) allow the individual to stabilize themselves during the action. Adjustments can be made to the pedal height of the machine in order to allow proper training for human subjects who differ in height.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Application Number Filling Date U.S. Pat. No. 14263770 Apr. 28, 2014 9,254,417 May 19, 2015 9,033,855 20110111931 May 12, 2011

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to mechanical and neuromuscular science. The presently claimed inventive concept relates to increasing a person's maximum running speed (sprint speed). The device allows a person to extend the knee and hip using concentric muscular contraction. The elastic bands return the pedal, as well as the knee and hip to the starting position (i.e., hip and knee flexion). No eccentric muscular contract is occurring during the action. This rapid return to the starting position allows the person to reinitiate hip and knee extension at a faster rate than is possible otherwise. Since this sequence of events is done at a faster rate of speed than is normally possible, the overspeed training effect is realized.

BACKGROUND Discussion Of Prior Art

For many years, athletic trainers, coaches, physical educators, and exercise physiologist have studied ways to help men and women improve their maximum running speed (i.e., Sprint Speed). In principle, to improve sprint speed, a human can train in two different ways. One is resistance training and the other is referred to as overspeed training. Resistance training methodology includes, but is not limited to, lower body weight lifting, pushing/pulling a weighted sled, running up hill, running with a weighted vest, running with a parachute harnessed to the individual running. The science behind this type of training shows as the muscles used to run become stronger, a person becomes faster. Yet, research shows resistance training for sprint speed improvement is limited. Once an individual reaches his/her full muscular strength potential, maximum running speed ceases to improve. The second type of physical training, overspeed training, requires the human body to move faster than is normally possible. It is believed training using the overspeed method causes a neurological adaptation of the motor nerves in the working muscles to be modified such that the nerves fire faster and with greater strength. Specifically, it is believed overspeed training causes the motor nerve of the working muscle to fire faster, thus, improving sprint speed. Examples of overspeed training include harnessing an athlete to a bungee-cord, stretching the cord to maximum distance, then having the athlete run toward the post connected to the bungee-cord. Another method is to tie two athletes together with a rope, the faster athlete would run pulling the slower athlete faster than he/she can normally run. Presently, the best way to improve spring speed through the overspeed principle is downhill running at a downhill grade of between 3% to 7% decline. The problem with overspeed training is the current methods have technical and logistical problems, which limits the beneficial effects. Specifically, the bungee-cord method allows the athlete to run faster for a short distance, but the impact on maximum running speed is limited because the distance traveled is too short to create the desired effect. The limitations of one athlete pulling another is the faster athlete is not trained because there is no one faster than they are to create the desired effect. Running downhill is the most effective way of producing the overspeed training affect, but it requires having a space approximately 60 meters long and 30 meters wide. Not every school system, college, and/or professional team can construct such a space around their training facility. Furthermore, inclement weather would prevent athletes from using the downhill method. Because to date there has not been a device developed to accomplish safe and effective overspeed training, the proposed training device was created. The OverSpeed Trainer will serve to do what none of the other overspeed training methods can do. It can train any number of athletes in a safe and convenient indoor or outdoor space. It does not take up a lot of space to store. The beneficial results are proven in both high school and college athletes. These attributes are especially beneficial for team sports. A large number of athletes can train on one Overspeed Trainer in less time than any of the other overspeed training methods noted.

SUMMARY

FIG. 1 shows the OverSpeed Trainer machine. The action or functional part of the machine is the pedal located in the center of the device. This pedal will pivot around a fixed point when a pivoting force is applied to the pedal. Resistance to the applied pivoting force is created by elastic material, heavy-gauge springs, electric actuators, pneumatic actuators, and/or hydraulic actuators. The applied resistance will return the pedal to the starting point once the pivoting force is removed. If the pivotal force is applied to the pedal repeatedly for a designated period of time, a training effect will occur, and the result will be an improvement in maximum running speed (i.e., sprint speed).

ADVANTAGES

The OverSpeed Trainer machine adds an additional training methodology to improving maximum running speed in human subjects that is not currently a part of any training program.

Of the various types of over speed training methods in existence, the OverSpeed Trainer functions more efficiently and completely than any other means. Specifically:

-   -   The beneficial results are proven in both high school and         college age athletes.     -   It provides an overspeed training technique that is not         duplicated in any other overspeed method of training.     -   The OverSpeed Trainer can train any number of athletes in a safe         and convenient indoor or outdoor space.     -   A large number of athletes can train on one Overspeed Trainer in         less time than any of the other overspeed training methods noted     -   Significant improvements in maximum running speed can be         realized in as little as four weeks.     -   The OverSpeed Trainer is a more logical means of employing the         technique than downhill running. A significant area         approximately 60 yards by 30 yards at a downhill slope of 3% to         7% grade is required for this type of training. Not all athletic         programs can dedicate the space. In addition, such a running         area can not be use in inclement weather.     -   The OverSpeed Trainer is more efficient than the use of the         bungee-cord because the bungee-cords can only provide a limited         range for the human subject to be pulled. Plus, it is impossible         for the human subject to be run with proper form.     -   The advantage of the OverSpeed Trainer versus one faster human         being pulling a slower human being is the faster individual gets         no training. Plus, there is no consistency in pulling force of         the faster human being.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS—FIG. 1

FIG. 1 is a left, front corner view showing the Overspeed Trainer.

DRAWING—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 support structure -   12 pedal -   14 a means of resisting force applied by the leg of a human being -   16 elastic material -   18 base -   20 vertical support columns -   22 hinge -   24 wheels -   26 holes in the vertical support columns -   28 post to support weight plates

Detailed Description—FIG. 1

The embodiment of the Overspeed Trainer is illustrated in FIG. 1 . The major components of the trainer are a support structure 10, one or more pedals 12 pivotally attached to support structure 10, and a means of resisting a pivoting force applied to said pedal by the leg of a human being 14 such as an elastic material 16. Support structure 10 consists of base 18 with substantially vertical support columns 20 that a human being can hold for support. Pedal 12 is pivotally attached to base 18 such that a human being can force it down with a foot while pedal 12 remains attached to base 18. One means of a pivot attachment is a hinge 22. One means of resisting the pivotal force of a human leg is provided by an elastic material 16 attached to the support structure 10 and pedal 12. Other means of resistance are springs, electric actuators, pneumatic actuators, and hydraulic actuators. When force is removed from pedal 12, elastic material 16 forces pedal 12 to rotate about hinge 22 and return to its original position. Wheels 24 can be attached to support structure 10 to allow easy movement of the trainer. Holes 26 in the vertical support column 20 permit height adjustment of pedal 12. Small posts 28 can be fixed to base 18 for adding weight plates for increased stability.

Operation—FIG. 1

The leg of a human provides downward force on pedal 10 forcing pedal 10 to pivot about hinge 22 and overcome resistance from elastic material 16. When the human releases the downward force, elastic material 16 forces pedal 10 to rotate about hinge 22 in the opposite direction and return to its original position. This repeated adding and removing of leg force to pedal 12 is similar to the motion of running but can be faster which improves the maximum running speed of said human being.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

The OverSpeed Trainer device is unlike any other method of overspeed training that currently exists. It is compact; easy to use; a large number of athletes can be trained in a relatively short period of time; and it is effective in improving the maximum running speed (i.e., sprint speed) of any human subject that trains using the device. In addition to the improvements in maximum running speed, the device is helpful for rehabilitative purposes. These include hip and/or knee replacement, strains and/or sprains to the hip and/or knee joints. The scope for the future is to continue to develop the principle behind the current form of the OverSpeed Trainer device. 

1. An exercise machine, comprising: a. a support structure; b. one or more pedals pivotally attached to said support structure; and c. a means of resisting a pivoting force applied to said pedal by the leg of a human being in one direction and providing a force returning said pedal in the other direction when said pivoting force is removed; whereby said leg of a human being can repeatably force said pedal in one direction faster than said leg of a human being can move when running which improves the maximum running speed of said human being.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is an elastic material attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 3. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a spring attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a pneumatic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 5. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a hydraulic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 6. The machine of claim 1 wherein said support structure has a base resting on the ground and a frame for said human being to hold onto.
 7. A method of exercise that improves the maximum running speed of a human being, comprising: a. providing a support structure; b. providing a means of resisting a pivoting force applied to said pedal by the leg of a human being in one direction and providing a force returning said pedal in the other direction when said pivoting force is removed; whereby said leg of a human being can repeatably force said pedal in one direction faster than said leg of a human being can move when running which improves the maximum running speed of said human being.
 8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is an elastic material attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 9. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a spring attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 10. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a pneumatic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 11. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a hydraulic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.
 12. The machine of claim 7 wherein said support structure has a base resting on the ground and a frame for said human being to hold onto. 